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CABARET: 'UPSTAIRS AT O'NEAL'S,' A REVUE

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October 29, 1982, Page 00020 The New York Times Archives

THE spirit of Julius Monk, who produced the celebrated satirical revues at the Upstairs at the Downstairs and Plaza-9, hovers benignly over ''Upstairs at O'Neal's,'' a revue that opened last night at O'Neal's 43d Street restaurant.

For the revue, a variety of lyricists and composers have concocted, among other things, a Gilbert and Sullivan treatment of a soap opera, a feminist version of an Irish folk song in which the alternative gender references become increasingly complex, an inside view of teen-age models and the plaint of an old-fashioned crying doll that ''I am nothing next to Jenny Genitalia.''

Inevitably, in a program of 18 numbers, the level varies. But even when the points are somewhat dulled, the cast of two men and four women bring much vitality and individuality to their performances. Martin Charnin, lyricist and director of ''Annie,'' put the revue together and staged it with such an energetic flow that it keeps bubbling brightly along.

Much of the bubble comes from Douglas Bernstein, a large, chubby man with a muffin face and a superb sense of comic timing. Bebe Neuwirth adds a heavy concentration of energy, Sarah Weeks an otherworldly look and touchingly fragile voice and Michon Peacock a sardonic contralto.

The costumes by Zoran - all simple solid splashes of black, red and white - are an unusually effective unifying factor that ties in with Ray Recht's equally simple black-and-white set. John S. Wilson In the Spirit UPSTAIRS AT O'NEALS', conceived and directed by Martin Charnin; choreographed by Ed Love; scenery and lighting designed by Ray Recht; costumes designed by Zoran; music directed and arranged by David Krane; production stage manager, Edward Isser. Presented by Michael and Patrick O'Neal, Ture Tufvesson and Mr. Charnin. At 147 West 43d Street. WITH: Douglas Bernstein, Randall Edwards, Bebe Neuwirth, Michon Peacock, Richard Ryder and Sarah Weeks.

A version of this review appears in print on October 29, 1982, on Page C00020 of the National edition with the headline: CABARET: 'UPSTAIRS AT O'NEAL'S,' A REVUE. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe